The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G Goodman

Geoffrey Goodman was born in Reigate on 21st June 1916, the family was from Horley in Surrey.

He was educated at Reigate Grammar School before joining the RAF as a direct-entry Airman u/t Pilot in about August 1936. He joined 85 Squadron when it was reformed at Debden on 1st June 1938 and went to France with the squadron at the outbreak of war.

On 17th April Goodman had to force-land at Carvin near Lens after engine failure in his Hurricane L1637. He was taken to hospital with concussion and did not fly operationally again until rejoining 85 Squadron at Martlesham Heath in July.

He had married Joan Amy Olney in January 1940.

Above: with 85 Squadron.

L to R; Sgt. ER Webster, Goodman, Sgt. TCE Berkley

On 30th August he claimed a Me110 destroyed and on 1st September a Me109.

Commissioned in March 1941, he remained with 85 until 19th April 1942 when he was posted to 51 OTU Cranfield as an instructor.

Goodman was posted to 29 Squadron at West Malling in November 1942, later becoming a Flight Commander.

He damaged a Do217 by day on 16th December and destroyed another on the night of 7th/8th March 1943 .

At the end of his tour Goodman was awarded the DFC (gazetted 26th October 1943).

He stayed in the RAF postwar and moved later to the Engineer Branch as an Armament Specialist.

Goodman was made an MBE (gazetted 1st January 1946) and an OBE (gazetted 13th June 1959).

He retired on 1st June 1969 as a Wing Commander and died in 1976.